On Monday, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore held the eighth annual public hearing at the Court of Appeals on New York's justice gap and touted the success of the meetings as imperative to closing that gap.

The public hearings began in 2010 and are held annually by the court to address the "legal services crisis" that affects low-income New Yorkers. The New York Permanent Commission on Access to Justice, which is chaired by Helaine Barnett, has worked with the courts in preparation for these annual hearings.

“New York has become the undisputed national leader when it comes to serving the civil legal needs of low-income people,” said DiFiore. “Yet for all the progress made, we know there is much work ahead.

“I am committed to working with our court system partners to design strategies to leverage the power of technology, increase pro bono services, make our courts more efficient and accessible, and to develop a long-range strategic plan to coordinate all our efforts in ensuring that every New Yorker, regardless of economic status, has access to legal services when basic human needs are at stake.”

DiFiore was joined by the four presiding justices of the Appellate Division, Hon. Randall T. Eng, Hon. Rolando T. Acosta, Hon. Karen K. Peters, and Hon. Gerald J. Whalen, as well as Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks and NYS Bar Association President Sharon Stern Gerstman, on the hearing panel during Monday's meeting.

At the meeting, DiFiore touted New York's accomplishments like the New York Judiciary's budget allocation of $100 million for direct grants to civil legal service providers via its Civil Legal Services Program. Those grants are distributed to 81 civil legal services providers in the state based on the proportion of low-income populations.

During the meeting, many claimed that this money was essential for New Yorkers who have had legal issues affect their housing, family stability, personal safety and access to health care.

“I commend Chief Judge DiFiore for holding this important public hearing,” said NYS Judiciary Chair John J. Bonacic. “The testimony gathered today by a diverse group of professionals will help policy makers in Albany effectively address legal service needs in New York state.”